Both of my Century Graphics have a plastic thingy on the top of the body opposite the viewfinder. It appears to possibly hold a shutter release. But I can't seem to get one to fit the thing, and I've tried about 10 different cable releases.

It's plastic, roundish. Screwed on the back left corner. Has a slot in the right side.

If it is, in fact, a shutter release holder - is there a specific kind of shutter release I should be looking for?

And if it's not - what the heck is it?

d

_________________When does interest become obsession? You should ask my girlfriend...

FWIW, my Century Graphic has no such thing. Must be an after-market add-on. I've owned several Centuries, dating back to buying new ones in the 50's, and have never seen anything like what you described. Sounds like it may be what you suggested...a holder for a cable release...for a left-handed photog. All the releases you tried must be for right-handed folks. Fred.

Les is right - it is the mounting fixture for a cable release that was popular at that time. My Century came with it installed, new. The cable release you want is a relatively short, black CLOTH-covered release with a little locking knob sticking out the side. You'll notice the fixture has the large opening toward the front [unless it has turned on the camera] and a narrow opening off to the side [left as I remember]. The locking knob of the release fitted down into that narrow slot, thereby sorta locking the release head [with the end you push naturally coming out the rear] into the fixture. Worked very well as I recall.

It is mounted toward the back so that your left thumb naturally falls in the right place to use it while holding the Century.

Century owners had to struggle with these little toys until Graflex came out with the xl handle. Upon demand, Graflex then produced a bracket to use the xl handle on the Century [but not the 4x5] and the Century became one of the sweetest operating cameras there was [is]. That handle had the built-in cable release [in a god-awful yellow color though]. The camera is balanced beautifully with it.

Well, I got left behind on that option. My Centuries all came with the el cheapo self-cocking Century shutter and Trioptar lens...and I shot many, MANY pictures with them. Photos taken with the Century and sold in the halls in high school earned me my lunch money. I didn't realize it was cumbersome. I slipped my left hand under the strap to grip it in classical fashion and reached around the flash unit to trip the shutter with its lever. Wish I could re-live those days. Uh...sorry for waxing nostalgic. Fred.